Oregon State parts ways with Gary Andersen

Oregon State and head coach Gary Andersen have mutually agreed to part ways, the school said in a statement Monday.

By “parting ways,” instead of forcing Oregon State to fire him, Andersen gives up a contract that was guaranteed through 2021. Andersen made $2.55 million in last season, per USA Today.

“After many discussions with Scott, waiving my contract is the correct decision and enables the young men and the program to move forward and concentrate on the rest of this season,” Andersen said in a statement. “Coaching is not about the mighty dollar. It is about teaching and putting young men in a position to succeed on and off the field. Success comes when all parties involved are moving in the same direction.”

By the terms of his contract, Gary Andersen would have been owed more than $12.7 million as buyout if he had fired without cause

Added AD Scott Barnes: “I thank Gary for his many contributions to our student-athletes, OSU Athletics and Oregon State University. OSU football has advanced significantly in many ways during Gary’s tenure here, including in our facilities and student-athlete academic performance. This program is poised for success on and off the field.”

Andersen was 7-23 in two-plus seasons as the Beavers’ head coach, including a 1-5 start and an 0-3 mark in Pac-12 play this season. Oregon State’s lone win came in a 35-32 decision over FCS Portland State, and the Beavers’ five losses have come by an average of 31.4 points.

Cornerbacks coach Cory Hall will serve as interim head coach. Hall had one year of college position coaching experience, as the secondary coach at Weber State in 2015, before Andersen brought him to Corvallis in 2016. His first game as Oregon State’s interim head coach will come Saturday against Colorado.

Prior to his arrival in Corvallis, Andersen brought Utah State to its highest point in the modern era, posting an 11-2 mark with an unprecedented top-20 finish in both major polls. That success led him to Wisconsin, where he went 19-7 in two seasons before bolting for Oregon State.

Oregon State becomes the third FBS school with a head coaching vacancy in the 2017-18 cycle, joining Ole Miss and UTEP.

National columnist - Zach joined the staff in 2012...and has been attempting to improve Doug and Scott's writing ability ever since (to little avail). Outside of football season, you can find him watching the San Antonio Spurs reading Game of Thrones fan theories.